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President al-Assad: Right to Return is the Basis for Solving Issue of Palestinian Refugees

13 March 2010

Local News /
Feb 23, 2010

Damascus, (SANA)-President Bashar al-Assad said the right to return is the basis for finding a just solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees.

President al-Assad‘s remarks came during a meeting with Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Mr. Filippo Grandi on Tuesday.

The President highlighted UNRWA efforts in supporting and improving the living conditions of the Palestinian refugees.

Both sides discussed the activities and aid offered by the UNRWA to the refugees on the level of education, health and social care, calling for intensifying Arab and international efforts to lift the unjust siege on the Gaza Strip and bring the humanitarian disaster in the Strip to an end.

Mr. Grandi voiced appreciation of Syria‘s stances in defending the rights of the Palestinians and supporting the UNRWA and Palestinian refugees in Syria.

In a statement to journalists, he said that his meeting with President al-Assad was excellent and frank, expressing commitment to continue offering aid to Palestinian refugees.

"UNRWA work in Syria is steady," he assured, "although it faces difficult challenges in other parts of the region."

Mr. Grandi pointed out to a number of projects being carried out in coordination with Syria aiming to improve the conditions of Palestinian refugees.

He called for finding a political solution to the problem, saying "We should not forget that work to improve the living conditions of the Palestinians doesn‘t negate the fact that they are refugees and need a solution."